It's Summer!

This is the time of year where it's really, really important to let everyday count. Enjoy the moments because in a very short time, the busyness of the Fall season is going to loom large.

And it'll feel like everything is moving ahead at a breakneck pace.

And it'll be hard to control.

I know that feeling all too well. It's almost like my heart constantly beats a little faster when the end of summer approaches. But enough of that! Time to focus on... SUMMER!

It's the NOW I intend to relish. Everyday, I hope to do at least 3 simple things that bring me joy (it's good for the soul!).

So far, today it's been...

A morning walk around the neighbourhood with Prince Enzo. Here he is on one of our hikes earlier this Spring. He's the best little companion!

Puttering around the pool.  It's been cool and rainy the last little while, so no pool days lately. But today, it's sunny-- it was relaxing and almost meditative to simply walk around the perimeter of the pool, manually vacuuming it, taking in the warm sunshine, and listening to the little neighbour girls happily splashing in their new above ground pool.

Number 3 yet to come.. tonight I'm heading out to the library for a FREE workshop on still life drawing. I'm really looking forward to that!

What simple little things are you enjoying today?

Getting my craft on..

With teaching Gr. K-2 children shape and space concepts every Thursday morning, I've been spending a lot of time researching creative, engaging activities. That leads to the fun part of teaching -- getting to watch the children enjoying the creative process.
Maybe it's due to it being the middle of winter (not getting out enough!), but I have been enjoying some creative endeavours. Besides knitting and a little furniture restoration, today I created a very cool craft which I am pleased to say turned out very well.

Our church is having a 'life group fair' next weekend, and I am promoting a "She Reads Good Books" book club. We were encouraged to add some pizzazz to our table spaces, so I decided to make this:

book fan

I experienced a twinge of regret as I worked on this, because of the necessary sacrifice -- a hardcover book. I was encouraged to think of this as 'repurposing', not ruining. I think I'll go with that. This was one of my  favorite read alouds from days gone by, but I'm pretty sure I have another copy somewhere. And besides, this 'fan book' can be undone in the future. No spine ripping required for this craft.

I actually like the outcome of this folding craft so much, I'm planning to keep it up on my desk shelf for a while.

Take THAT, Blue Monday

Good, good morning to you!

Did you know that today the third Monday in January has been dubbed Blue Monday, apparently the most depressing day of the year?  It is also an entirely made-up day of despair with no scientific proof.

Or is it?

There actually IS a scientific formula for this day!

 [W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA – where W is weather, D is debt, d monthly salary, T time since Christmas, Q time since failure of attempt to give something up, M low motivational level and NA the need to take action.  
Reading that actually gave me a chuckle.

In the UK,  people don't take a Blue Monday lying down with blankets over their heads. There it  is also a special day where people are encouraged  to focus on doing little acts of kindness for others which "makes Blue Monday a wider day of happiness". Participants are encouraged to do something they wouldn't normally do, perhaps something fun and creative.

Sounds good to me. Hope your Blue Monday sparkles.

signs of life in the dead of winter

Half way through January already!??

*techy (or rather non-techy) alert: pictures didn't appear earlier.. hope they show up now. 

I'm slowly slipping back into daily routines. Still finding it hard to jump out of bed with wide eyes and a spring in my step.  Winter makes one so hibernative (I think I made that up), doesn't it? I simply want to stay home and unsubscribe to all of my outside obligations at times. But, I know that that would not be a healthy decision! Once I get out there, it's all good.

Sometimes I do wonder why we live where we do. Last weekend, the mountain passes were clear, so we took a quick 3 1/2 hour trip down to the coast. It was so wonderful! I felt like we had just bypassed a season and waltzed into early Spring! Sunshine and no snow!

winter where my sister lives 

winter where we live 

Speaking of unsubscribing, today I checked out this very interesting site called unroll.me which helps clean up your inbox by managing subscriptions. It's a simple way to unsubscribe, keep, or send to 'rollup' (which sends you ONE email a day with any updates on those).  Am I the only one who is a subscription junkie? 

Which leads to a very full inbox. Overwhelmingly so. I had over 100 subscriptions (newsletters & blogs) between my 2 email addresses (that's besides my bloglovin' subscriptions). I know. I think I'm down to about 40 now.

Whittling down the reading list is going well. But the day AFTER I blogged about not purchasing any new books this year, I received a very generous Amazon gift card in the mail from my dear friend (who knew nothing about my challenge). Yes, it's true!! But I am holding off. This past week I was so close to purchasing a book to read along with an online book club, but I steeled my resolve and inquired if the local library could obtain it for me.. Win!

Winter is for indoor projects. I am super pleased with the guest bedroom reno we finished in one weekend. Mr. Handyman worked on the floors, and I painted walls and refinished old furniture.

out with the old carpet,
in with the new laminate

ready for a vintage-y look

guest room ready for company!

 And some Me Time has led to..

 Experienced a mild second-sock-syndrome-- weeks--
-- nothing as serious as last time!

wintergreen dishcloth

adding to the gift box- for the next wee baby girl I meet

Being hibernative doesn't mean being unproductive, right?

Hope you are enjoying the season you are in right now!

Oh, and I can't sign off without giving a Happy Birthday!!! shout out to my dear adventurous daughter who is trekking in the country of Myanmar (Burma) at this very moment! 

The Moving Pen

Henri Nouwen wrote his devotional book Bread For the Journey by simply writing one reflection a day, not really knowing what was going to emerge. Two things were needed: free time and quiet, peaceful space.  As he allowed his pen to move, the words came.

"I sat down each morning, whether I had any ideas or not, and waited until my pen started to move and pull words out of my mind and heart. I didn't plan to write about Jesus..but my pen told me differently.." 

I suppose it really matters what the writer has been reading, watching, and pondering. That's what's going to spill out.

Speaking of writing, do you have any big plans for your blog this year?  Changes? What keeps you blogging into 2016?

When I'm not working...

Finally! I have finished knitting the pair of socks which took me over a year (they were mostly sitting in my knitting basket, biding their time). Funny how letting things be sometimes is the best idea when one is frustrated. I was able to fix my mistake without pulling my hair out or frogging the entire sock, AND I combined two very thin blue fingering weight yarns to knit matching toes for these socks. Yes, this meant I had to undo the first sock's toe and use the new yarns, but the color combination looks just fine to me.  These are thicker, comfy socks and will be great for cooler days. 

Almost done, but running out of yarn! 

Done and pleased with the results

 And now the knitting bug has been biting again.. small projects are my favorite right now. Something I can pick up easily when I'm watching a program on Netflix or on my CTVgo App. And a welcome change from the fingers tap-tap-tapping on the keyboard.

A new pair of socks forming here (these have cotton in them, so they'll be good for warmer weather). I've given myself plenty of time to finish them! Actually, things are moving along quite quickly. I had this yarn in my stash, so I thought it best to use this up before I buy more.

ONline sock yarn - love the color!

The Prince is not pleased with his new cardigan. He just sits and sulks when I put it on him. Hope he gets over that! When temperatures get even cooler, maybe he will welcome it. But I doubt it. 

It's a Knitterly Kind of Day

 I think Enzo feels the same way. It's the kind of day to stay snug, dry, warm and hunkered down. (In full view of one's person, if at all possible.)

Although I did get out for a quick lunch with a friend (to maintain one's sanity), I have mostly been indoors (working), looking out. It's wet, cool, and grey. Didn't even take The Prince for a walk today.

 I'm looking forward to finishing up these socks, hopefully tonight. I've suffered greatly from SSS with this project.. Second Sock Syndrome is a real thing, you know! And as I picked up this project last week again after a very.long.time (a year?), I remembered why I had dropped it from my to do list. I had made a mistake in the pattern at some point, leaving it one stitch short,  and promptly ignored the socks out of frustration. As well, I realized there was a very good chance I would run out of yarn before the final toe was completed. And I still think that might happen. BUT, this brain has a plan. You'll have to wait and see what that plan is. You see, I don't have any more yarn to add to these socks and I have lost the label and forgotten the name of the yarn. Oh dear, you organized knitters out there must be tsking and shaking your heads collectively right about now. Confession: I am not as organized as I used to be. But, all is not lost. I am determined to complete these socks.
And since today is a knitterly kind of day... I hope to work on that tonight.

Very Interesting

I've recently been following a blog that has quickly become one of my favourites. There are so many people out there with encouraging things to say and Joel Malm is one of them. Go check him out!

I am putting a twist on one of his recent blog posts-- hope that's okay! (I'm stealing like an artist ;)

I agree that each one of us is unique, created for a purpose, and can change the world for the better in both small and big ways. We can choose to keep our gifts or share them. No gift is too small or insignificant in God's eyes. And He is good at multiplying the little we might think we have to offer.

Signs that you are probably a very interesting individual: 

You create. I recently read Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. Good stuff. How many times have you heard the comment "I'm not creative". I've said that many, many times but I know it's a lie. We are ALL creative! But our creativity might look very different from someone else's. No sense comparing. In our culture, we often default to passive entertainment, which steals our God-gifted creativity. Creativity takes time to grow.

You read. It's a great way to experience things you might not be able to see or do first hand. And it opens up your mind to how others live and think.  It's not always comfortable to step out and read others' views when yours might be pretty entrenched. But it's healthy. And it helps you  to understand where others are coming from.  It's the best way to help  figure out what you really believe and it can make for some interesting and lively discussion.

You take risks. Remember what you consider a risk might be a piece of cake to someone else. I tell myself that a lot! Do you regularly do something that 'scares' you?

You ask questions. The most fascinating people are the ones who don't have all the answers. And they aren't afraid to ask the questions. Interesting, scary, uncomfortable ones sometimes. Asking questions usually leads to finding answers. But sometimes it's good to just sit with the questions until answers come.

You learn new things. And then you share your experiences to enrich others' lives.

You listen. You look people in the eye and you focus on them. You are interested in what others believe, think, and experience. You don't have to have all the answers. You are open to learning. That makes you very attractive.

You admit mistakes. A wise person once said, "Do you want to be right or be happy?" I want to be happy. Winning an argument is never a win/win, is it? I don't enjoy being around people who are continually wanting to be right. Sometimes that person is me. Ouch. Often the most beautiful (and hardest words to say) are "I'm sorry, I was wrong, I apologize".

You need people. We are made for community. And we don't often do this well. You include people. You meet new people. You are honest. Your bravest word might be "Help".

You care for others. In your own unique way, in the small and big things, you care for God's creation - people, animals, all of creation. You do what you are able to do because it's the right thing to do. We are all in this together.

You take time for YOU. Self care is so important and it's not selfish unless it takes up all of your time and interest. Then it's self-absorption. We care for ourselves so we can care for others.

Can you add to this list? Disagree with any of these signs?

For Today..

Outside my window...

I see blue skies, wood stove smoke wafting down  from our chimney, tree branches trembling in the frigid temperatures (-16 C!! = 3.2 F) 

I am thinking... about priorities today...work or play? 

I am thankful...for Christmas purchases done online! 

In the kitchen...I have several lbs of stewing beef thawing in preparation for making Dutch croquettes (can't have Christmas without 'em!)

I am wearing...comfy jeans, my "on second thought" sweater retrieved from the giveaway bag, homemade wool socks, slippers, and silver hoop earrings

I am creating...fingerless mitts from Kenzie wool, a  Christmas gift for my son's girlfriend

I am going...to a dessert fundraiser tonight for our local university's 

International Student Ministries. Dessert and friends - no better combination than that! 

I am wondering...if Sadie Robertson from Duck Dynasty is going to win the mirror ball trophy on Dancing With the Stars (I've been catching the last few episodes online...it's my guilty pleasure! )

I am reading...Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer

I am hoping...to spend a little time making Christmas cards today. 

I am looking forward to...setting up the Christmas tree in the corner of our living room today. No ornaments and decorations till next Saturday's family brunch, though! I hope I can hold back! 

I am learning to let go of regrets. Sometimes it's the little ones that keep coming back and pestering me. Every happen to you? 

Around the house...hardly a noise but the tap tapping of computer keys, the soothing music of Classical piano and strings on Spotify, and  the lulling sounds of the dishwasher. A quiet Saturday..

I am pondering...why I seem to be misplacing my mitts so often..should probably knit a few more pairs just for me. 

A favourite quote for today...

Lead, Kindly Light..

Keep thou my feet:

I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one

step enough for me

One of my favourite things... is watching really good movies.. any recommendations?

A few plans for the rest of the week: the week's almost over! Wrap up a Christmas gift or two, make some cards, pick up an interlibrary loan book at the library, knit, and hopefully do a bit of online work. It's already early afternoon, so I probably won't actually get to all of that today. But there's always Sunday!  I'm on coffee bar duty, so I'll make a few lattes for fellow gatherers at church tomorrow and visit with a few other couples at our life group tomorrow night. 

A peek into my day...

Join in the fun with The Simple Woman's Daybook here. 

Holding onto Fall

Autumn is certainly in full swing, but today winter was threatening to move in. At least it sure felt that way. The wind didn't tickle, it sliced! Not nice.  My girlfriend who lives an hour and a half away told me she saw snowflakes swirling in the air. No.. !! Say it isn't so!! 

I have enjoyed our autumn weather so much, and I think I was in denial that our beautiful Fall weather would actually end. So, in honor of the dwindling autumn season... 

I managed to work through most of this bin. A few pies made, bags of apple slices frozen for later, and containers of homemade applesauce. These apples were so sweet, I didn't even have to add sugar!

Our huge lodgepole pine dropped its nasty needles a few weeks ago. Not a fun job to rake those up. 

picking a pail of painful pinecones

 (step on one of these with bare feet and you'll know what I mean!)

I stepped out to check for mail later in the day and was greeted by a pile of lost, lonely leaves pushing pathetically against the door. I was sure they were begging to be let in, 

away from the cold wind! 

 View from my desk, which I was chained to for most of the day. The sun tempted me to go out, but I could hear the wind's warning whistle.  Wimp that I am, I chose to stay indoors.  I think it's time to bundle up a bit more before heading out! 

Not sure if you noticed or not, but I have been using alliteration in this post.

Couldn't help myself. 

Poetry on the brain, what with planning for this week's lesson. 

I spent an hour writing a 'found poem'. I figured that if I asked my students to write one, I should probably write one, too. It was rather fun, I have to admit. Although it took longer than I expected. Creativity is hard work! 

Play Date

Creativity flourishes when we have a sense of safety and self-acceptance. Your artist, like a small child, is happiest when feeling a sense of security. As our artist's protective parent, we must learn to place our artist with safe companions. Toxic playmates can capsize our artist's growth. 

                                                                           Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

Which reminds me of  my grade 9 art teacher. She was not a safe, accepting companion. She was definitely toxic. And my experience in that class probably destroyed my last little shred of confidence in considering myself  a creative person.

But, thankfully, since then I have spent time over the years with  positive, helpful, encouraging teachers, family, and friends.  And so I tentatively attempt various creative projects, enjoying the learning process.

And I've come to believe that everyone is uniquely creative, because we all are created in the image of God, who is THE creator. It's our self talk (often stemming from negative experiences) that usually keeps us from leaning into the creative experience.

The Great Creator has gifted us with creativity.                                   Our gift back is our use of it.   

Today I spent several hours crafting with some of my favorite people, girlfriends who are positive, safe, and accepting. It always takes a little while to relax and get into the groove of cardmaking, I find. But once we are all settled with our artistic supplies surrounding us, a cup of coffee or tea and a treat within reach, and some good conversation.. well, then we are all off and running.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday in November.